PJP On The Move!

Have you ever looked at the bottom of your drink bottle and wondered what that little number means in the recycling arrows really means? Often times, we never actually look at it, and never think that it really does have some meaning.

Different plastic bottles or food containers are made from different types of plastics. Despite what most people think, not all plastic is the same. And using the right plastic in your container or bottle can have different effects and results when it comes to packaging foods and beverages.

Below is a simple guide to the different types of plastics used in food packaging:

#1 – Polyethylene terephthalate (Pet or PETE.)
Clear, tough resin comonly used in soft drink and juice bottles and jars of peanut butter and salad dressing.  Also used in tougher bakery and food packaging containers. This is the most commonly used plastic and recycleable at most recycling centers.

#2 – High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Stiff, often translucent plastic used in milk jugs and containers of laundry detergent. Sometimes used in trash bags and grocery tote bags. This is commonly recycled at most local recycling centers.

#3 – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Strong, oil-resistant, and rigid or flexible material used in clamshells, blister packs, and shrink wraps. This is not commonly recycled at most recycling centers. #3 plastic is also often used in things like pipes and outdoor furniture.

#4 – Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Tough, flexible and relatively transparent plastic used in bread bags, produce bags, trash can liners, squeeze bottles.

#5 – Polypropylene (PP)
Strong, moldable resin used in yogurt and margarine tubs, ketchup bottles and deli containers, salad and bakery containers. Also used in drinking straws. This is very rarely found to be recycleable at your local recycling center.

#6 – Polystyrene (PS)
Hard and brittle, rigid or foamed, moisture resistant plastic used in cups, plates, bowls, egg cartons, and meat trays. Traditionally known as “Styrofoam” it is often used to insulated products. And depending on which product it is used in it can be recycled.

#7 – Other , often polycarbonate
Catch-all category often used to make very strong plastics that can be found in reusable water bottles, oven baking bags, and citrus juice jars, tupperware. Often used in everyday wearable items such as cell phones, cds, toys, and automotive parts.

For those that are concerned about the environment there are also Plastic Alternatives. One plastic like alternative to the above mentioned plastics is PLA. PLA is a biopolymer type of plastic that is derived entirely from natural materials such as plants. Unline plastic, PLA is not recycleable but is compostable in a commercial composting facility. And in a short period of time will turn back into dirt.